Display control apparatus for displaying first menu items and second lower level menu items based on touch and touch-release operations, and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A display control apparatus enables a user to easily recognize that a selectable item is present in addition to a displayed item and to recognize without being confused that a target item has been touched. The apparatus is capable of displaying an item group including a plurality of items which are a part of all items, when a touch is detected on any item in the item group displayed on the display unit, displaying the touched item in a selected state, and if release of the touch is detected, and if the selected item is an end item among the displayed group of items but is not an end item among all the items, moving the displayed item among all the items in a direction for displaying an item that is not being displayed in the direction of an end based on the release of the touch.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation, and claims the benefit, of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/610,397, filed on May 31, 2017 (and having aprojected patent number of U.S. Pat. No. 10,447,872 and a projectedissue date of Oct. 15, 2019), which is a continuation and claims thebenefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/024,327, filed on Sep. 11, 2013(now U.S. Pat. No. 9,699,334), which claims priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2012-203007, filed Sep. 14, 2012, each of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present disclosure generally relates to display control and, moreparticularly, to a display control apparatus that can select any one ofa plurality of displayed items by a touch operation and a method forcontrolling the display control apparatus.

Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, on a function setting menu screen in an electronicdevice, for example, a part of a plurality of selectable items isdisplayed on one screen, and items that cannot be displayed within thescreen are displayed by scrolling.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-039602 discusses atechnique for scrolling by one item when a user selects a menu item thatis at an end of the displayed portion from among a series of itemsincluding a plurality of menu items, and making a user recognize thefact that selectable menu items also exist further on.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-159134 discusses atechnique in which a plurality of selectable images is displayed on onescreen on which a user can select a desired image by touching thescreen. This screen is scrolled in response to the movement of thefinger touching on the screen, and another plurality of images isdisplayed.

In a case like Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-159134, inwhich a plurality of selectable items (in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 2011-159134, images) can be selected by a touch operationon a touch panel, in order to show the user that the touch operation onthe desired item has been received, when one of the items is touched, itis desirable to display the touched item in a selected state at the timewhen the touch operation is made. On the other hand, if an end item isselected from among the displayed items, and if selectable items arepresent further on from the end item, like in Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 2011-039602, it is easier to understand thatthere are more selectable items further on by scrolling to indicate thepresence of the items further on.

However, in a case that a touch is made on an item that is an end itemamong the displayed items and selectable items are present further onfrom the touched item, if the touched item is displayed in a selectedstate at the point when the touch was made like in Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 2011-159134, and scrolling is performed likein Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-039602, there is thefollowing problem. The item displayed in the selected state at theposition of the touching finger is moved due to the scrolling, so thatthe position of the touching finger and the position of the selecteditem are deviated from each other. Consequently, the user may beconfused that the item at the position touched by his/her finger is notcorrectly selected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to, on a screen on which a pluralityof item is displayed, a display control apparatus enabling a user toeasily recognize the fact that a selectable item is present in additionto the displayed items and recognize that a target item has been touchedwithout being confused.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a display controlapparatus includes a display control unit configured to control adisplay unit to display an item group including a plurality of itemswhich are a part of all items on a specific screen, a detection unitconfigured to detect a touch operation on the display unit, and acontrol unit configured to perform control to, in a case where a touchis detected on any item in the item group displayed on the display unitamong all the items, display the touched item in a selected state, andin a case where release of the touch is detected, and the selected itemis an end item among the item group displayed on the display unit but isnot an end item among all the items, move a displayed item in adirection for displaying an item that is not being displayed in adirection to an end in response to the release of the touch.

According to the present disclosure, on a screen on which a plurality ofitem is displayed by a touch operation, the fact that a selectable itemis present in addition to displayed items can be easily recognized, anda user can recognize that a target item has been touched without beingconfused.

Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital camera according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digitalcamera according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A to 3C illustrate a screen related to a FUNC menu.

FIGS. 4A to 4C illustrate transition of display of a FUNC menu accordingto the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating imaging mode processing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating FUNC menu processing.

FIGS. 7A to 7F are display examples on a FUNC menu.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating menu screen processing.

FIG. 9 is a display example of a menu screen.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described indetail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to benoted that the following exemplary embodiment is merely one example forimplementing the present disclosure and can be appropriately modified orchanged depending on individual constructions and various conditions ofapparatuses to which the present disclosure is applied. Thus, thepresent disclosure is in no way limited to the following exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates an external view of a digital camera as an example ofa display control apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. A display unit 28 displays images and variousinformation pieces. A shutter button 61 is an operation unit for issuingimaging instructions. A mode changing switch 60 is an operation unit forswitching among various modes. A connector 112 is a connector between aconnection cable 111 and a digital camera 100. An operation unit 70includes operation members, such as various switches, buttons, and atouch panel, for receiving various operations from a user. A controllerwheel 73 which is included in the operation unit 70 is a rotatableoperation member. A power switch 72 switches the power on and off. Arecording medium 200 is a memory card, a hard disk or the like. Arecording medium slot 201 is a slot for storing the recording medium200. The recording medium 200 stored in the recording medium slot 201can communicate with the digital camera 100. A cover 202 is a cover forthe recording medium slot 201. As used herein, the term “unit” generallyrefers to any combination of software, firmware, hardware, or othercomponent that is used to effectuate a purpose.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of thedigital camera 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment.

In FIG. 2, an imaging lens 103 is a lens group that includes a zoom lensand a focus lens. A shutter 101 has a diaphragm function. An imagingunit 22 is an image sensor that is configured from a charge-coupleddevice (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) thatconverts an optical image into an electric signal. An analog/digital(A/D) converter 23 converts analog signals into digital signals. The A/Dconverter 23 is used to convert analog signals output from the imagingunit 22 into digital signals. A barrier 102 covers an imaging system,which includes the imaging lens 103, the shutter 101, and the imagingunit 22, of the digital camera 100 to prevent the imaging system fromdirt and damage.

An image processing unit 24 performs predetermined pixel interpolation,resizing processing such as reduction, and color conversion processingon data from the A/D converter 23 or data from a memory control unit 15.In addition, the image processing unit 24 performs predeterminedcalculation processing using captured image data. Based on the obtainedcalculation result, a system control unit 50 performs exposure controland range-finding control. Consequently, through-the-lens (TTL) typeautofocus (AF) processing, auto-exposure (AE) processing, and pre-flash(EF) processing are performed. Further, the image processing unit 24performs predetermined calculation processing using captured image data,and performs TTL type auto white balance (AWB) processing based on theobtained calculation result.

Output data from the A/D converter 23 is directly written into a memory32 via the image processing unit 24 and the memory control unit 15, orvia the memory control unit 15. The memory 32 stores image data obtainedby the imaging unit 22 and converted into digital data by the A/Dconverter 23, and image data for display on the display unit 28. Thememory 32 includes a sufficient storage capacity to store apredetermined number of still images, and moving images and audio for apredetermined time length.

The memory 32 also has a function as a memory (video memory) for imagedisplay. A digital/analog (D/A) converter 13 converts data for imagedisplay stored in the memory 32 into an analog signal, and supplies theconverted analog signal to the display unit 28. Consequently, the imagedata for display written in the memory 32 is displayed by the displayunit 28 via the D/A converter 13. The display unit 28 performs displaybased on the analog signal from the D/A converter 13 on a displaydevice, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). Digital signals thathave been subjected to A/D conversion by the A/D converter 23 and storedin the memory 32 are converted into analog signals by the D/A converter13, and successively transferred and displayed on the display unit 28.Consequently, the display unit 28 displays a through-the-lens image byfunctioning as an electronic view finder.

A non-volatile memory 56 is an electronically erasable/recordablememory. The non-volatile memory 56 may be, for example, an electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). In the nonvolatilememory 56, constants and programs for operations of the system controlunit 50 are stored. Such programs are programs for executing processingin various flowcharts described below according to the present exemplaryembodiment.

The system control unit 50 controls the entire digital camera 100. Thesystem control unit 50 realizes each of the below-described processes ofthe present exemplary embodiment by executing the programs recorded inthe non-volatile memory 56. A random-access memory (RAM) is used as asystem memory 52. In the system memory 52, constants and variables foroperations of the system control unit 50, and programs read from thenon-volatile memory 56 are developed. The system control unit 50 alsoperforms display control by controlling the memory 32, the D/A converter13, and the display unit 28.

A system timer 53 is a time measurement unit that measures the time forvarious controls and the time of a built-in clock.

The mode changing switch 60, a first shutter switch 62, a second shutterswitch 64, and the operation unit 70 are operation units for inputtingvarious operation instructions to the system control unit 50.

The mode changing switch 60 can switch an operation mode of the systemcontrol unit 50 to another mode, such as a still image recording mode, amoving image mode, and a reproduction mode. Examples of the modesincluded in the still image recording mode are an auto image-capturingmode, an auto scene determination mode, a manual mode, various scenemodes that are imaging settings for different imaging scenes, a programAE mode, a custom mode, and so on. The mode changing switch 60 allowsthe user to directly switch the operation mode to any of the modesincluded in the still image recording mode. Alternatively, the user mayset the mode changing switch 60 to the still image recording mode, andthen switch the operation mode to another mode included in the stillimage recording mode using another operation member. Similarly, themoving image recording mode may also include a plurality of modes. Thefirst shutter switch 62 is turned ON when the shutter button 61 providedon the digital camera 100 is half-pressed (an instruction to prepare forimage capturing), and a first shutter switch signal SW1 is generated.Based on the first shutter switch signal SW1, operations such as AFprocessing, AE processing, AWB processing, and pre-flash (EF) processingstart.

The second shutter switch 64 is turned ON when an operation of theshutter button 61 is completed, i.e., fully pressed (an imaginginstruction), and a second shutter switch signal SW2 is generated. Basedon the second shutter switch signal SW2, the system control unit 50starts a series of imaging operations, from the reading of a signal fromthe imaging unit 22 to the writing of image data in the recording medium200.

The various operation members included in the operation unit 70 aresuitably assigned with a function for each situation based on aselection operation of various function icons displayed on the screen ofthe display unit 28. Consequently, these various operation members serveas the various function buttons. Examples of the function buttonsinclude an end button, a return button, an image advancing button, ajump button, a narrow button, an attribute change button, and the like.For example, when a menu button is pressed, the display unit 28 displaysa menu screen on which various settings can be performed. The user canintuitively perform various settings using the menu screen displayed onthe display unit 28, four (up, down, left, and right) direction buttons,and a SET button. Among the four (up, down, left, and right) directionbuttons, the up button and the down button will be collectively referredto as up/down buttons, and the left button and the right button will becollectively referred to as left/right buttons. When a FUNC buttonincluded in the operation unit 70 is pressed, the FUNC menu screen issuperimposed over a through-the-lens image and allows the user toperform settings such as exposure and a self-timer setting.

The controller wheel 73 which is a rotatable operation member includedin the operation unit 70 is used for indicating a selection item alongwith a direction button.

A power supply control unit 80 is configured from a battery detectioncircuit, a direct current-direct current (DC-DC) converter, a switchingcircuit for switching blocks to which power is supplied and the like.The power supply control unit 80 detects whether a battery is mounted ornot, a type of the battery, and a remaining battery level. Based on thedetection results and an instruction from the system control unit 50,the power supply control unit 80 controls the DC-DC converter andsupplies a required voltage to the various parts, including therecording medium 200, for a required period of time.

A power supply unit 30 is configured from, for example, a primarybattery, such as an alkali or a lithium battery, a secondary battery,such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, and a Li battery, and analternating current (AC) adapter. A recording medium interface (I/F) 18is an interface with the recording medium 200, which is a memory card, ahard disk and the like. The recording medium 200 may be a memory cardfor recording captured image data. The recording medium 200 isconfigured from a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk, for example.

The operation unit 70 includes, for example, a touch panel 71 that candetect a touch on the display unit 28. The touch panel 71 and thedisplay unit 28 can be integrally configured. For example, the touchpanel 71 is configured so that transmissivity thereof does not hinderthe display of the display unit 28 and attached to an upper layer of adisplay surface of the display unit 28. Further, the input coordinateson the touch panel 71 are made to correspond to the display coordinateson the display unit 28. Accordingly, a graphical user interface (GUI)can be configured like as if a screen displayed on the display unit 28can be directly operated by the user. The system control unit 50 candetect the following operations or states on the touch panel 71.

-   -   That the touch panel 71 is touched by a finger or a pen        (hereinbelow, “Touch-Down”).    -   That the touch panel 71 is being touched by a finger or a pen        (hereinbelow, “Touch-On”).    -   That a finger or a pen is moving while still in touch with the        touch panel 71 (hereinbelow, “Touch-Move”).    -   That the finger or the pen that was touching the touch panel 71        is released (hereinbelow, “Touch-Up”).    -   That nothing is touching the touch panel 71 (hereinbelow,        “Touch-Off”).

The system control unit 50 is notified via an internal bus of theseoperations and states and the position coordinates where the finger orthe pen is touching the touch panel 71. Then, the system control unit 50determines what kind of operation is performed on the touch panel 71based on the notified information. Regarding Touch-Move, a movementdirection of a finger or a pen moving on the touch panel 71 can also bedetermined for each vertical component and horizontal component on thetouch panel 71 based on changes in the position coordinates. When aTouch-Up is made following a predetermined Touch-Move after a Touch-Downperformed on the touch panel 71, it is determined that a stroke has beendrawn. An operation in which a stroke is rapidly drawn is referred to asa flick. A flick is an operation in which a finger is rapidly moved acertain distance while still touching the touch panel 71, and thenreleased. In other words, a flick is an operation in which the fingerrapidly traces over the touch panel 71 so as to bounce off it. When aTouch-Move is detected as having been performed for a predetermineddistance or more at a predetermined speed or greater, and a Touch-Up isdetected immediately thereafter, a flick is determined as having beenperformed. When a Touch-Move is detected as having been performed for apredetermined distance or more at less than a predetermined speed, adrag is determined as having been performed. Various touch panels can beused for the touch panel 71, including a resistance film type, acapacitance type, a surface acoustic wave type, an infrared ray type, anelectromagnetic induction type, an image recognition type, a lightsensor type and the like.

The operations performed in the above-described digital camera 100 willnow be described.

In the digital camera 100, when the FUNC button included in theoperation unit 70 is pressed during imaging standby in an imaging mode,a FUNC menu (a specific screen) is displayed by being superimposed overa through-the-lens image. The FUNC menu is configured from a pluralityof higher-level menu items and a plurality of lower-level menu itemsrespectively corresponding to the higher-level menu items. Althoughthere is a plurality of menu items as higher-level menu items, not allof the menu items are displayed on one screen. Rather, one screendisplays some of the menu items. In response to a scroll operationperformed on the screen, the displayed menu items are changed, and allof the menu items can be displayed. Further, when a menu item arrangedat the very end is selected from among the displayed menu items, and theuser tries to scroll further on from the selected menu item, each menuitem is scrolled by one item in the direction that lets the further onitems be seen. Accordingly, the user can recognize that there are stillmore selectable items further on from the selected item.

FIG. 3A illustrates a display example of a FUNC menu on the display unit28 according to the present exemplary embodiment. The FUNC menu includesa higher-level menu item column which includes ten items A to J. Amongthese ten items, six items can be displayed at any one time. The otheritems can be displayed when an item group displayed on a higher-levelmenu 301 is scrolled. In FIG. 3A, the six higher-level menu items from Ato F are displayed in the higher-level menu 301. A lower-level menu 302displays a plurality of items that are lower-level menu itemscorresponding to the selected item in the higher-level menu 301.

Examples of higher-level menu items include exposure correction, whitebalance, and self-timer setting. Further, examples of lower-level menuitems corresponding to the self-timer setting, which is a higher-levelmenu item, include a two second self-timer, a ten second self-timer, anda customized time self-timer. A cursor 303 indicates a menu item that isselected on the higher-level menu 301. A cursor 304 indicates a menuitem that is selected on the lower-level menu 302. When a desired menuitem is selected from the higher-level menu 301, the correspondinglower-level menu 302 is displayed. When a desired menu item is selectedfrom the lower-level menu 302, the setting represented by the selectedlower-level menu item (e.g., ten second self-timer) is set in thedigital camera 100. A through-the-lens image 305 is displayed on theFUNC menu as a background.

When one of the higher-level menu items displayed on the higher-levelmenu 301 is touched, the higher-level menu item at the touched positioncan be selected. FIG. 3B illustrates a display example when a Touch-Downhas been made by a finger 310 on an item F among the higher-level menuitems displayed on the higher-level menu 301. The item F at the positionof the finger 310 that made the Touch-Down is selected, and the displayof the lower-level menu 302 switches to the lower-level menu items (f1,f2, and f3) of the selected item F. More specifically, when a desiredhigher-level menu item is touched, the touched higher-level menu item isselected, and the function of the selected higher-level menu item (here,the function of displaying the corresponding lower-level menu items) isexecuted.

FIG. 3C illustrates a display example following on from FIG. 3B, inwhich the present disclosure is not applied. In FIG. 3B, among thedisplayed higher-level menu 301, the item F displayed at the end hasbeen selected by a Touch-Down. The item F is not an end item among theitems A to J which are all the items that can be displayed. In otherwords, when the item F is scrolled upwards, the items G to J can bedisplayed. Therefore, when the item F displayed at the end has beenselected, like in FIG. 3B, the item group of the higher-level menu 301is scrolled and moved in the direction to display the item G, which isfurther on from the item F. However, this means that scrolling occurseven if the user is in the midst of performing a Touch-On without movinghis/her finger 310 from a Touch-Down position. Consequently, asillustrated in FIG. 3C, the position touched by the finger 310 and theposition of the item F selected in the higher-level menu 301 deviatefrom each other. In such a case, the user may become confused that theitem at the position touched by his/her finger is not correctlyselected.

In response to this issue, FIG. 4 illustrates screen transitions in acase where the present disclosure is applied.

FIG. 4A is a display example of the FUNC menu which is the same as theone illustrated in FIG. 3A. On this screen a user makes a Touch-Down onthe end item F displayed on the higher-level menu 301. A display exampleof this case is illustrated in FIG. 4B, which is also the same as whatis illustrated in FIG. 3B. However, according to the present exemplaryembodiment, when the item F is selected, the cursor 303 is placed on theitem F, and if the lower-level menu items of the item F are displayed,scrolling is not performed until the finger 310 makes a Touch-Up. Inother words, as long as the user continues to touch the item F asillustrated in FIG. 4B, the display state in FIG. 4B continues. Then,when the finger 310 makes a Touch-Up, scrolling is performed based onthe Touch-Up in the direction for displaying the item G, which isfurther on from the item F.

FIG. 4C illustrates a display example immediately after a Touch-Up hasbeen made following the state in FIG. 4B. Based on this configuration,there is no deviation like that described with reference to FIG. 3Cbetween the touched position and the selected position. Thus, the usercan recognize that a target item has been correctly touched, so thatconfusion does not occur. In addition, based on the Touch-Up that wasmade, the display is scrolled in the direction for displaying the itemG, which is further on from the item F and was not being displayed.Accordingly, the user can also recognize that there are still moreselectable items further on from the item F.

Flowcharts of the processing for realizing the above-describedoperations will now be described.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of imaging mode processing according tothe present exemplary embodiment. The processing is realized by thesystem control unit 50 developing a program recorded in the non-volatilememory 56 in the system memory 52 and executing the program. Theprocessing in FIG. 5 starts when the digital camera 100 is started upand set to the imaging mode.

In step S501, the system control unit 50 displays an imaging standbyscreen. On the imaging standby screen, a through-the-lens image isdisplayed on the display unit 28.

In step S502, the system control unit 50 determines whether the FUNCbutton included in the operation unit 70 has been pressed. If it isdetermined that the FUNC button has been pressed (YES in step S502), theprocessing proceeds to step S503. In step S503, the system control unit50 performs FUNC menu processing. If it is determined that the FUNCbutton has not been pressed (NO in step S502), the processing proceedsto step S504. The FUNC menu processing performed in step S503 will bedescribed in detail below with reference to FIG. 6.

In step S504, the system control unit 50 determines whether the menubutton included in the operation unit 70 has been pressed. If it isdetermined that the menu button has been pressed (YES in step S504), theprocessing proceeds to step S505. In step S505, the system control unit50 performs menu screen processing. If it is determined that the menubutton has not been pressed (NO in step S504), the processing proceedsto step S506. The menu screen processing performed in step S505 will bedescribed in detail below with reference to FIG. 8.

In step S506, the system control unit 50 determines whether some otheroperation has been performed. Examples of other operations include thepressing of a flash lamp button and the pressing of a macro button. Ifit is determined that some other operation has been performed (YES instep S506), the processing proceeds to step S507. In step S507, thesystem control unit 50 performs the processing corresponding to theselected operation. If it is determined that no other operations havebeen performed (NO in step S506), the processing proceeds to step S508.

In step S508, the system control unit 50 determines whether the firstshutter switch signal SW1 is ON. If it is determined that the firstshutter switch signal SW1 is ON (YES in step S508), then in step S509,the system control unit 50 performs imaging preparation processing, suchas AF processing and AE processing. If it is determined that the firstshutter switch signal SW1 is not ON (NO in step S508), the processingproceeds to step S513. In step S510, the system control unit 50determines whether the first shutter switch signal SW1 is still ON. Ifit is determined that the first shutter switch signal SW1 is still ON(YES in step S510), the processing proceeds to step S511. If it isdetermined that the first shutter switch signal SW1 is turned OFF (NO instep S510), the processing proceeds to step S513. In step S511, thesystem control unit 50 determines whether the second shutter switchsignal SW2 is ON. If it is determined that the second shutter switchsignal SW2 is not ON (NO in step S511), the processing returns to stepS510. If it is determined that the second shutter switch signal SW2 isON (YES in step S511), the processing proceeds to step S512. In stepS512, the system control unit 50 captures a still image with the imagingunit 22, and performs a series of imaging processes until the capturedimage is recorded as an image file in the recording medium 200.

In step S513, the system control unit 50 determines whether a finishevent has occurred. Examples of a finish event include an operation forturning the power off and an operation for switching to the reproductionmode. If it is determined that there has been no finish event (NO instep S513), the processing returns to step S502, and the processing isrepeated. If it is determined that there has been a finish event (YES instep S513), the imaging mode processing is finished.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the details of the FUNC menuprocessing performed in step S503. The processing is realized by thesystem control unit 50 developing a program recorded in the non-volatilememory 56 in the system memory 52 and executing the program.

In step S601, the system control unit 50 displays the FUNC menu on thedisplay unit 28. The FUNC menu is a display screen as illustrated in theabove-described FIGS. 3A and 4A, and in FIG. 7A, for example. In theinitial display, a state in which the item was last selected among thehigher-level menu by the cursor 303 when the previous FUNC menu wasdisplayed is displayed as selected item.

In step S602, the system control unit 50 determines whether the up/downbutton included in the operation unit 70 has been pressed. If it isdetermined that the up/down button has been pressed (YES in step S602),the processing proceeds to step S603, and if not (NO in step S602), theprocessing proceeds to step S605.

In step S603, the system control unit 50 switches the item selected inthe higher-level menu based on whether the up button or the down buttonis pressed. More specifically, if the up button is pressed, the systemcontrol unit 50 selects a higher-level menu item displayed one above thehigher-level menu item that had been selected. If the down button ispressed, the system control unit 50 selects a higher-level menu itemdisplayed one below the higher-level menu item that had been selected.

In step S604, the system control unit 50 displays the lower-level menuitems corresponding to the higher-level menu item selected in step S603.The selection switching of the higher-level menu performed in step S603and the display of the lower-level menu items performed in step S604 areessentially performed simultaneously. Next, the processing proceeds tostep S610. In step S610, the system control unit 50 determines whetherto scroll the display according to the switching of the selection itemin the higher-level menu performed in step S603. The processingperformed in step S610 will be described below.

On the other hand, in step S605, the system control unit 50 determineswhether a Touch-Down has been made at a position of one of the items inthe higher-level menu displayed on the display unit 28. If it isdetermined that a Touch-Down has been made on one of the items in thehigher-level menu (YES in step S605), the processing proceeds to stepS606, and if not (NO in step S605), the processing proceeds to stepS618.

In step S606, the system control unit 50 switches the selection of thehigher-level menu item at the Touch-Down position, and displays theselected item with the cursor 303 placed thereon.

In step S607, the system control unit 50 displays the lower-level menucorresponding to the higher-level menu item of the Touch-Down positionselected in step S606. More specifically, the higher-level menu item atthe touch position when the Touch-Down was made is selected, and thefunction assigned to that selected item (display of the corresponding tolower-level menu) is executed. Consequently, the display is shifted fromthe state illustrated in FIG. 7A to the state illustrated in FIG. 7B orthe state illustrated in FIG. 7C. Since the Touch-On operation is stillbeing made in the display state illustrated in FIG. 7C, if the finger310 is illustrated, the state would look like that illustrated in FIG.4B.

In step S608, the system control unit 50 determines whether a Touch-Movehas been made by the finger that performed the Touch-Down. If it isdetermined that a Touch-Move has been made (YES in step S608), theprocessing proceeds to step S613, and if not (NO in step S608), theprocessing proceeds to step S609.

In step S609, the system control unit 50 determines whether a Touch-Uphas been made. If it is determined that a Touch-Up has been made (YES instep S609), the processing proceeds to step S610, and if not (NO in stepS609), the processing returns to step S608.

In step S610, the system control unit 50 determines whether the newlyselected higher-level menu item is an item displayed at an end (theupper end or the lower end) of the higher-level menu that was displayedbefore the selection of the higher-level menu item was switched.Examples of a newly selected higher-level menu item include thehigher-level menu items selected in any of steps S603, S606, and S616.If it is determined that the newly selected item is an item displayed atan end (YES in step S610), the processing proceeds to step S611, and ifnot (NO in step S610), the processing proceeds to step S622.

In step S611, the system control unit 50 determines whether there areany higher-level menu items that are not displayed further on from theend at which the newly selected item is positioned (in the directionbeyond the end and not displayed). In other words, the system controlunit 50 determines whether there are any higher-level menu items thatcan be newly displayed if the newly selected higher-level menu item isscrolled toward the opposite side to the end where that item ispositioned. To state in yet another way, the system control unit 50determines whether the order of the display position of the newlyselected higher-level menu item is an end (is the head or the tail) inthe higher-level menu item column formed from all the higher-level menuitems that can be displayed in the higher-level menu (items A to J).

More specifically, the system control unit 50 determines whether thenewly selected higher-level menu item is the item A or the item J. If itis determined that the newly selected higher-level menu item is neitherthe item A nor the item J, this means that there are higher-level menuitems that are not displayed further on from the end where the newlyselected higher-level menu item is positioned. If it is determined thatthere are higher-level menu items that are not displayed further on fromthe newly selected higher-level menu item (when the newly selectedhigher-level menu item is not the item A or the item J) (YES in stepS611), the processing proceeds to step S612, and if not (NO in stepS611), the processing proceeds to step S622.

If it is determined that the newly selected higher-level menu item isthe item A or the item J, scrolling is not performed because there areno more items to be displayed if the display is scrolled further.Therefore, when the item A or the item J has been selected, the displaylooks like the state in the display examples illustrated in FIG. 7A or7F, in which even for the Touch-Off state the selected higher-level menuitem is positioned at the end of the higher-level menu. In other words,the display changes from the state in the display example in FIG. 7E tothat in FIG. 7F without scrolling if the selection in the higher-levelmenu is switched to one below.

In step S612, the system control unit 50 scrolls the higher-level menuitem by one item in the direction for displaying the higher-level menuitems which are not displayed and further on from the end where thenewly selected higher-level menu item is positioned. Consequently, ifthe newly selected higher-level menu item is selected in step S606 bythe Touch-Down, the display is scrolled so that the display statechanges from that illustrated in FIG. 7C before the Touch-Up was made tothe display state in FIG. 7D. If the newly selected higher-level menuitem is selected in step S603 by the pressing of the down button, thedisplay is scrolled so that the display state changes from thatillustrated in FIG. 7B before the selection change (before the pressingof the down button) to the display state illustrated in FIG. 7D.

On the other hand, in step S613, since the system control unit 50detected the Touch-Move based on the touch operation on the higher-levelmenu item, the system control unit 50 releases the selection of thehigher-level menu item, and changes the display to a state in which nohigher-level menu item is selected. At that time, the cursor 303 is notdisplayed on any of the items.

In step S614, the system control unit 50 scrolls the group ofhigher-level menu items that is displayed on the higher-level menu 301based on the Touch-Move operation. Thus, the user can display arbitrarysix items among the higher-level menu items A to J.

In step S615, the system control unit 50 determines whether a Touch-Uphas been made. If it is determined that a Touch-Up has been made (YES instep S615), the processing proceeds to step S616. If it is determinedthat a Touch-Up has not been made (NO in step S615), the processingreturns to step S614, and the system control unit 50 continuouslyperforms scrolling based on the Touch-Move.

In step S616, the system control unit 50 selects the higher-level menuitem displayed at the Touch-Up position (the touch position immediatelybefore touch is released), and display the selected item with the cursor303 placed thereon.

In step S617, the system control unit 50 displays on the display unit 28the lower-level menu corresponding to the higher-level menu item at theTouch-Up position selected in step S616. Steps S616 and S617 areessentially performed simultaneously. When the higher-level menu item ofthe Touch-Up position is selected, the processing proceeds to step S610.As described above, in step S610, the system control unit 50 determineswhether the higher-level menu item at the newly selected Touch-Upposition is an item that needs scrolling in order to display the itemsfurther on. If the higher-level menu item at the newly selected Touch-Upposition is positioned at the end, and if there are higher-level menuitems that are not displayed further on from that end (YES in steps S610and S611), then in step S612, the system control unit 50 performsscrolling, and if not (NO in step S610 or S611), the processing proceedsto step S622.

On the other hand, in step S618, the system control unit 50 determineswhether a left/right button included in the operation unit 70 has beenpressed. If it is determined that a left/right button has been pressed(YES in step S618), the processing proceeds to step S619, and if not (NOin step S618) the processing proceeds to step S620.

In step S619, the system control unit 50 switches the item selected inthe lower-level menu according to the pressing of the left/right button.More specifically, if the left button is pressed, the lower-level menucursor 304 is moved one item to the left, and if the right button ispressed, the lower-level menu cursor 304 is moved one item to the right.The system control unit 50 then sets the content of the newly selectedlower-level menu item in the digital camera 100 (e.g., if two secondself-timer is selected, sets the two second self-timer).

In step S620, the system control unit 50 determines whether a Touch-Downhas been made on any of the plurality of lower-level menu itemsdisplayed in the lower-level menu. If a Touch-Down has been made on anyof the lower-level menu items (YES in step S620), the processingproceeds to step S621, and if not (NO in step S620), the processingproceeds to step S622.

In step S621, the system control unit 50 switches the selection in thelower-level menu to a lower-level menu item at the position where theTouch-Down was made. Then, the system control unit 50 sets the contentof the newly selected lower-level menu item in the digital camera 100.

In step S622, the system control unit 50 determines whether the FUNCbutton included in the operation unit 70 has been pressed. If it isdetermined that the FUNC button has not been pressed (NO in step S622),the processing returns to step S602, and repeats the processing. If itis determined that the FUNC button has been pressed (YES in step S622),the system control unit 50 closes the FUNC menu (the FUNC menu is set sothat it is not displayed), and finishes the FUNC menu processing. Theprocessing then proceeds to step S501 in FIG. 5.

According to the above-described FUNC menu processing, if an item isselected that is at the end of the displayed higher-level menu, andfurther on from which scrolling can be performed, the followingdifferent actions occur based on what the selected operation was. If thetop/down button is pressed, selection of the higher-level menu item(step S603), execution of the function of the selected item (step S604),and scrolling for displaying further on items (step S612) occuressentially simultaneously. Similarly, when a higher-level menu item isselected by a Touch-Up after a Touch-Move, selection of the higher-levelmenu item (step S616), execution of the function of the selected item(step S617), and scrolling for displaying further on items (step S612)occur essentially simultaneously. However, if the item is selected by aTouch-Down, scrolling for displaying further on items (step S612) is notperformed immediately after selection in the higher-level menu (stepS606) and execution of the function of the selected item (step S607) areperformed, and the scrolling is performed after waiting for a Touch-Up.

In the above-described processing, the processing that is according tothe pressing of the up/down button, which is a mechanical pressingbutton included in the operation unit 70, can also be performed based ontouch on up/down button icons that are displayed on the display unit 28and that can be operated by touching the touch panel 71. For example, anup button icon and a down button icon may be displayed on the FUNC menu,and a “YES” determination is made in step S605 if either of the buttonicons is touched.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating details of the menu screen processingwhich is performed in step S505 in FIG. 5. The processing is realized bythe system control unit 50 developing a program recorded in thenon-volatile memory 56 in the system memory 52 and executing theprogram.

In step S801, the system control unit 50 displays a menu screen (anotherscreen) on the display unit 28. FIG. 9 illustrates a display example ofthe menu screen. A plurality of menu items is displayed in a menudisplay area 901 on the menu screen. A selected menu item is displayedon which a cursor 902 is placed among the plurality of menu items. Inthe menu display area 901, all of the selectable menu items are notdisplayed simultaneously, and seven items which are a part of all theselectable menu items are displayed. In addition, other non-displayedmenu items can also be displayed according to a scroll operation.

A scroll bar 903 indicates a position of an item group currentlydisplayed in the menu display area 901 among all the menu items. Bylooking at the scroll bar 903, a user can recognize that scrolling ispossible, and about how far and in which direction scrolling can beperformed. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 9, sincethere are no selectable menu items above a menu item 1, the user can seethat scrolling for displaying the upper side is not possible. Further,since there are selectable menu items below a menu item 7, the user cansee that scrolling for displaying the menu items that are below the menuitem 7 is possible.

In step S802, the system control unit 50 determines whether a Touch-Downhas been made on the selected menu item (the menu item on which thecursor 902 is placed). If it is determined that a Touch-Down has beenmade on the selected menu item (YES in step S802), the processingproceeds to step S803, and if not (NO in step S802), the processingproceeds to step S810.

In step S803, the system control unit 50 determines whether a Touch-Movehas been made at the touch position where the Touch-Down was made instep S802. If it is determined that a Touch-Move has been made (YES instep S803), the processing proceeds to step S806, and if not (NO in stepS803), the processing proceeds to step S804.

In step S804, the system control unit 50 determines whether a Touch-Uphas been made. If it is determined that a Touch-Up has been made (YES instep S804), the processing proceeds to step S805, and if not (NO in stepS804), the processing returns to step S803, and waits for a Touch-Moveor a Touch-Up to be made.

In step S805, the system control unit 50 executes the function of theselected menu item. For example, the system control unit 50 switches thedigital zoom on/off.

On the other hand, in step S806, since the Touch-Move was detected basedon the touch operation on the menu item, the system control unit 50releases the selection of the menu item, and changes the display to astate in which no menu item is selected. At that time, the cursor 902 isnot displayed on any of the items.

In step S807, the system control unit 50 scrolls the group of menu itemsthat is displayed in the menu display area 901 according to theTouch-Move operation. Consequently, the user can display arbitrary sevenitems from among all of the selectable menu items.

In step S808, the system control unit 50 determines whether a Touch-Uphas been made. If it is determined that a Touch-Up has been made (YES instep S808), the processing proceeds to step S809, and if not (NO in stepS808), the processing returns to step S807, and the system control unit50 continuously performs scrolling based the Touch-Move.

In step S809, the system control unit 50 selects the menu item displayedat the coordinate position where the Touch-Up was made, and places thecursor 902. This processing only switches the selection of the menuitem, and the function of the selected menu item is not executed (e.g.,changing the digital zoom on/off setting).

On the other hand, in step S810, the system control unit 50 determineswhether a Touch-Down has been made on a menu item other than theselected menu item among the menu items displayed in the menu displayarea 901. If it is determined that a Touch-Down has been made on anon-selected menu item (YES in step S810), the processing proceeds tostep S811, and if not (NO in step S810), the processing proceeds to stepS814.

In step S811, the system control unit 50 switches selection to the menuitem at the position where the Touch-Down was made. In other words, thesystem control unit 50 moves the cursor 902 to the menu item at theposition where the Touch-Down was made. This processing only switchesthe menu item to be selected, and the function of the selected menu itemis not executed (e.g., changing the digital zoom on/off setting).

In step S812, the system control unit 50 determines whether a Touch-Movehas been made at the touch position where the Touch-Down was made instep S810. If it is determined that a Touch-Move has been made (YES instep S812), the processing proceeds to step S806, and if not (NO in stepS812), the processing proceeds to step S813.

In step S813, the system control unit 50 determines whether a Touch-Uphas been made. If it is determined that a Touch-Up has been made (YES instep S813), the processing proceeds to step S802, and if not (NO in stepS813), the processing returns to step S812, and waits for a Touch-Moveor a Touch-Up to be made.

In step S814, the system control unit 50 determines whether the up/downbutton included in the operation unit 70 has been pressed. If it isdetermined that the up/down button has been pressed (YES in step S814),the processing proceeds to step S815, and if not (NO in step S814), theprocessing proceeds to step S816.

In step S815, the system control unit 50 switches the selected menu itemamong the menu items displayed in the menu display area 901 according tothe pressing of the up/down button. For example, if the down button ispressed once when the menu item 1 is selected as in FIG. 9, the selectedmenu item changes to a menu item 2, and the cursor 902 is moved from themenu item 1 to the menu item 2.

If the down button is pressed in a state in which an item displayed atthe end is selected from among the displayed menu items, and there arenon-displayed selectable menu items further below, the display isscrolled in the direction for displaying the non-displayed selectablemenu items. For example, if the down button is pressed once in a statein which the menu items 1 to 7 are displayed in the menu display area901 and the menu item 7 is selected, scrolling is performed by one itemso that the menu items 2 to 8 are displayed. Then, the menu item 8 thatis displayed at the end of the menu display area 901 is selected anddisplayed.

In step S816, the system control unit 50 determines whether the SETbutton included in the operation unit 70 has been pressed. If it isdetermined that the SET button has been pressed (YES in step S816), theprocessing proceeds to step S817, and if not (NO in step S816), theprocessing proceeds to step S818.

In step S817, the system control unit 50 executes the function assignedto the currently selected menu item (the menu item where the cursor 902is placed). For example, the system control unit 50 changes the digitalzoom on/off setting.

In step S818, the system control unit 50 determines whether the menubutton included in the operation unit 70 has been pressed. If it isdetermined that the menu button has not been pressed (NO in step S818),the processing returns to step S802, and repeats the processing. If itis determined that the menu button has been pressed (YES in step S818),the system control unit 50 closes the menu screen, and finishes the menuscreen processing. The processing then proceeds to step S501 in FIG. 5.

On the above-described menu screen, to execute the function of a desiredmenu item by a touch operation, the user has to select the menu item bytouching it once, and then touch the same menu item once more.Therefore, to execute the function of the desired menu item quickly, theuser has to touch the desired menu item twice quickly in succession.

At this point, if scrolling is performed because the selected item is atthe end and there are items that are not displayed further on, like theFUNC menu described with reference to FIG. 6, the desired menu itemcannot be touched twice in succession even if the same position istouched twice in succession. This is because the position of the desireditem is changed by the first touch.

Therefore, if an item function is executed by touching a non-selecteditem once to select it, and then touching the same item once more in theselected state, like the menu screen described with reference to FIG. 8,scrolling accompanied by the selection of an item at a screen end is notperformed.

The control performed by the above-described system control unit 50 maybe performed by one piece of hardware, or the entire apparatus may becontrolled by a plurality of pieces of hardware dividing the processingamong the pieces of hardware.

Further, according to the above-described exemplary embodiment, althougha case is described in which the present disclosure is applied to adigital camera, the present disclosure is not limited to this example.For example, the present disclosure can be applied to any apparatus, aslong as the apparatus is capable of displaying all or a part of aplurality of selectable items on a screen, and selecting an item fromamong the plurality of items by a touch operation. More specifically,the present disclosure can be applied to apparatuses such as a personalcomputer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone terminal, aportable image viewer, a printer apparatus including a display, adigital photo frame, a music player, a game console, an electronic bookreader, a tablet terminal, and the like.

Aspects of the present disclosure can also be realized by a computer ofa system or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU, a micro processing unit(MPU), or the like) that reads out and executes a program recorded on amemory device to perform the functions of the above-describedembodiments, and by a method, the steps of which are performed by acomputer of a system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functionsof the above-described embodiments. For this purpose, the program isprovided to the computer for example via a network or from a recordingmedium of various types serving as the memory device (e.g., anon-transitory computer-readable medium).

While the present disclosure has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display control apparatus comprising: a memoryand at least one processor configured to function as: a display controlunit configured to perform display control to display a first group ofitems on a display screen, wherein the first group of items is formedfrom some of a plurality of items ordered in an item line from a firstitem to a last item, wherein a plurality of functions is respectivelyassigned to the plurality of items, a detection unit configured todetect a touch operation on an item in the first group of itemsdisplayed on the display screen, and a control unit configured toperform control, wherein, in a case where a touch on an item at a firstposition is detected by the detection unit and the touched item is afully-displayed item, the control unit performs control not to move thefirst group of items based on the touch on the fully-displayed item,wherein, in a case where the touch on an item and releasing of the touchfrom the touched fully-displayed item at the first position is detectedand the touched fully-displayed item is positioned at an end on one sideof the first group of items displayed on the display screen and isneither the first item nor the last item in the item line, the controlunit performs control to move the first group of items so that thetouched fully-displayed item, from which the releasing of the touch isdetected, is moved from the first position to a second position so thatan item which was not displayed before the movement is displayed,wherein, in a case where the touch on an item and releasing of the touchfrom the touched fully-displayed item at the first position is detectedand the touched fully-displayed item is either the first item or thelast item in the item line, the control unit performs control not tomove the first group of items such that the touched fully-displayeditem, from which the releasing of the touch is detected, is not movedfrom the first position to the second position, and wherein the controlunit performs control to display a second group of items whichcorresponds to the touched item and represents lower-level items of thetouched item in response to the touch operation to the touched item, andnot to move a display position of the second group of items in a casewhere a touch on and releasing of the touch from the item in the secondgroup of items is detected and the touched item of the second group isselected by the touch on the touched item in the second group.
 2. Thedisplay control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unitis configured to perform control not to display a scroll bar with thefirst group of items.
 3. The display control apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to perform control todisplay the touched item of the second group in a selected state inresponse to the touching on the item of the second group.
 4. The displaycontrol apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit isconfigured to perform control to display the second group of items alonga line perpendicular to a line of the first group of items.
 5. Thedisplay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unitperforms control to display the second group of items in a predetermineddisplay position in response to the touch operation to the touched itemof the first group, regardless of a position of the touched item of thefirst group.
 6. A method for controlling a display control apparatus,the method comprising: performing control to display a first group ofitems on a display screen, wherein the first group of items is formedfrom some of a plurality of items ordered in an item line from a firstitem to a last item, wherein a plurality of functions is respectivelyassigned to the plurality of items; detecting a touch operation on anitem in the first group of items displayed on the display screen; andperforming control, wherein, in a case where a touch on an item at afirst position is detected and the touched item is a fully-displayeditem, performing control includes performing control not to move thefirst group of items based on the touch on the fully-displayed item,wherein, in a case where the touch on an item and releasing of the touchfrom the touched fully-displayed item at the first position is detectedand the touched fully-displayed item is positioned at an end on one sideof the first group of items displayed on the display screen and isneither the first item nor the last item in the item line, performingcontrol includes performing control to move the first group of items sothat the touched fully-displayed item, from which the releasing of thetouch is detected, is moved from the first position to a second positionso that an item which was not displayed before the movement isdisplayed, wherein, in a case where the touch on an item and releasingof the touch from the touched fully-displayed item at the first positionis detected and the touched fully-displayed item is either the firstitem or the last item in the item line, performing control includesperforming control not to move the first group of items such that thetouched fully-displayed item, from which the releasing of the touch isdetected, is not moved from the first position to the second position,and wherein performing control includes performing control to display asecond group of items which corresponds to the touched item andrepresents lower-level items of the touched item in response to thetouch operation to the touched item, and not to move a display positionof the second group of items in a case where a touch on and releasing ofthe touch from the item in the second group of items is detected and thetouched item of the second group is selected by the touch on the toucheditem in the second group.
 7. A non-transitory computer-readablerecording medium that stores a program which causes a computer toexecute a method for controlling a display control apparatus, the methodcomprising: performing control to display a first group of items on adisplay screen, wherein the first group of items is formed from some ofa plurality of items ordered in an item line from a first item to a lastitem, wherein a plurality of functions is respectively assigned to theplurality of items; detecting a touch operation on an item in the firstgroup of items displayed on the display screen; and performing control,wherein, in a case where a touch on an item at a first position isdetected and the touched item is a fully-displayed item, performingcontrol includes performing control not to move the first group of itemsbased on the touch on the fully-displayed item, wherein, in a case wherethe touch on an item and releasing of the touch from the touchedfully-displayed item at the first position is detected and the touchedfully-displayed item is positioned at an end on one side of the firstgroup of items displayed on the display screen and is neither the firstitem nor the last item in the item line, performing control includesperforming control to move the first group of items so that the touchedfully-displayed item, from which the releasing of the touch is detected,is moved from the first position to a second position so that an itemwhich was not displayed before the movement is displayed, wherein, in acase where the touch on an item and releasing of the touch from thetouched fully-displayed item at the first position is detected and thetouched fully-displayed item is either the first item or the last itemin the item line, performing control includes performing control not tomove the first group of items such that the touched fully-displayeditem, from which the releasing of the touch is detected, is not movedfrom the first position to the second position, and wherein performingcontrol includes performing control to display a second group of itemswhich corresponds to the touched item and represents lower-level itemsof the touched item in response to the touch operation to the toucheditem, and not to move a display position of the second group of items ina case where a touch on and releasing of the touch from the item in thesecond group of items is detected and the touched item of the secondgroup is selected by the touch on the touched item in the second group.